TaylorMade SLDR S Driver Review
6/6/2014 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff
see also: Equipment Reviews
We test the new SLDR S against its predecessor, the SLDR
By Christian Nicolini, AmateurGolf.com
Equipment Writer
TaylorMade has introduced the new SLDR S
driver for the summer but unlike other models
introduced to the market
in recent memory, the brand hasn’t re-written
the rules for what the club should do. Instead,
TaylorMade worked
to improve a key attribute to the club.
The brand replaced the adjustable loft with a fixed loft to offer a high performance club at a more affordable price. The SLDR S driver comes in four loft options: 10°, 12°, 14°, 16°.
There are a lot of similarities in the SLDR and SLDR S. The head design, weighting technology and shaft remain the same. In fact, outside of the silver-satin finish and fixed loft, the SLDR S is a solid replica of the original. I took both clubs to task in a simulator to see if I could find any differences in feel, weight, sound, or performance.
FIRST REACTION
After hitting both drivers, I have to say that, from a cosmetic standpoint the SLDR S driver looked sharper with the silver finish and black face combination. Other than those slight changes, both drivers looked identical.
I’ve been a fan of the SLDR ever since it was released mainly because of the soft feel at impact. For whatever reason, I found that the SLDR S had a firmer feel than the SLDR -- most notably on off- center hits. Both drivers still feel good -- and are softer than the brand’s R series drivers.
Before I started testing, I thought the SLDR S would feel a tad lighter since it lacked the bulkier adjustable hosel. However, both the SLDR and SLDR S have an identical feel while swinging.
PERFORMANCE
I wasn’t very pleased to find out that the SLDR S driver only went as low as 10° in loft, but after a couple swings, my attitude changed. I compared a 10° SLDR vs. 10° SLDR S, both with a stiff Fujikura Speeder 57 shaft.
During my test I took 15 shots with each club and picked the top 10 from each and compared the data:
SLDR:
Avg. Club speed (mph): 112
Avg. Ball Speed (mph): 164
Launch: 12°
Spin Rate (rpm): 2705
Carry (yds): 271
Total Distance (yds): 291
SLDR S:
Avg. Club speed (mph): 113.5
Avg. Ball Speed (mph): 166
Launch: 12.5°
Spin Rate (rpm): 2870
Carry (yds): 276
Total Distance (yds): 290
RESULTS
Both drivers performed nearly identical. For whatever reason, my swing speed was a little faster with the SLDR S than with the SLDR even though both drivers share nearly identical specs. As a result, the ball speed of the SLDR S was slightly higher, along with the launch, spin rate and carry distance.
PROS & CONS:
The SLDR S has a very sleek and appealing design. By switching to a fixed loft, the $399.99 of the SLDR shrinks down to a more affordable $329.99
Surprisingly the SLDR S had a firmer feel at impact which was more noticeable on off center hits compared to the SLDR.
The brand replaced the adjustable loft with a fixed loft to offer a high performance club at a more affordable price. The SLDR S driver comes in four loft options: 10°, 12°, 14°, 16°.
There are a lot of similarities in the SLDR and SLDR S. The head design, weighting technology and shaft remain the same. In fact, outside of the silver-satin finish and fixed loft, the SLDR S is a solid replica of the original. I took both clubs to task in a simulator to see if I could find any differences in feel, weight, sound, or performance.
FIRST REACTION
After hitting both drivers, I have to say that, from a cosmetic standpoint the SLDR S driver looked sharper with the silver finish and black face combination. Other than those slight changes, both drivers looked identical.
I’ve been a fan of the SLDR ever since it was released mainly because of the soft feel at impact. For whatever reason, I found that the SLDR S had a firmer feel than the SLDR -- most notably on off- center hits. Both drivers still feel good -- and are softer than the brand’s R series drivers.
Before I started testing, I thought the SLDR S would feel a tad lighter since it lacked the bulkier adjustable hosel. However, both the SLDR and SLDR S have an identical feel while swinging.
PERFORMANCE
I wasn’t very pleased to find out that the SLDR S driver only went as low as 10° in loft, but after a couple swings, my attitude changed. I compared a 10° SLDR vs. 10° SLDR S, both with a stiff Fujikura Speeder 57 shaft.
During my test I took 15 shots with each club and picked the top 10 from each and compared the data:
SLDR:
Avg. Club speed (mph): 112
Avg. Ball Speed (mph): 164
Launch: 12°
Spin Rate (rpm): 2705
Carry (yds): 271
Total Distance (yds): 291
SLDR S:
Avg. Club speed (mph): 113.5
Avg. Ball Speed (mph): 166
Launch: 12.5°
Spin Rate (rpm): 2870
Carry (yds): 276
Total Distance (yds): 290
RESULTS
Both drivers performed nearly identical. For whatever reason, my swing speed was a little faster with the SLDR S than with the SLDR even though both drivers share nearly identical specs. As a result, the ball speed of the SLDR S was slightly higher, along with the launch, spin rate and carry distance.
PROS & CONS:
The SLDR S has a very sleek and appealing design. By switching to a fixed loft, the $399.99 of the SLDR shrinks down to a more affordable $329.99
Surprisingly the SLDR S had a firmer feel at impact which was more noticeable on off center hits compared to the SLDR.
Most Popular Articles
2025 PGA TOUR Q-School Guide: Sites, Scores, and Who Advanced
Dec 5, 2025Second Stage is complete and Final Stage awaits at Sawgrass — follow every Q-School leaderboard and the players still chasing
2025 LPGA TOUR Q-Series: Final Qualifying Stage FINAL SCORING
Dec 8, 2025Helen Briem earns medalist honors, 31 players headed to the LPGA next year
Australian Open at Royal Melbourne: Preview, amateur bios, and how to watch
Nov 30, 2025Rory McIlroy headlines one of the championship's top fields in years - at least four amateurs will have their chance at glory
2025 PGA TOUR Q-School Final Stage: Ewart Leads Five New TOUR Card Winners
Dec 14, 2025A.J. Ewart topped Final Stage at TPC Sawgrass, leading five players who secured PGA TOUR membership for 2026.
Luke Ringkamp Cruises to Rolex Tournament of Champions Title at TPC San Antonio
Nov 26, 2025One week after committing to Pepperdine, Luke Ringkamp won the Rolex Tournament of Champions by nine shots.Loading latest news...